Lighting fixture



July 18, 1939. E. F. SIBBERT LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 22, 1957 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR flaivzardlflz'bber BY w gdvad ATTORNEY S July 18, 1939. E. F. SIBBERT 2,166,645

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 22/ 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v INVENTOR Z'aa/a/aFJZ'ZJe/fi ATTORNEYS y 8, 1939.. E. F. SIBBERT 2,166,646

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 22, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 I =4 INVENTOR 68 69 v ATTORNEYS Patented July 18, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFWE LIGHTING FIXTURE Application June 22, 1937, Serial No. 149,579

8 Claims.

The present invention relates to lighting fixtures, and more particularly to fixtures of the type to be suspended from the ceiling.

One object of the invention is to provide a fixture of the above type affording not only scientifically correct, efficient and glareless illumination, but also constituting in itself effective attractive decoration for the room, gallery or store in which it is used.

Another object is to provide a fixture of the above type, which when lit gives the appearance of a glowing faceted body, and which is so shadowed as to emphasize relief and afford a three dimensional impression of solidity.

Another object is to provide a fixture of the above type, which is made of a series of translucent or opaque baflle elements, so constructed and shaped as to give the glowing elfect of crystal when the fixture is lit.

Another object is to provide a fixture of the above type, having a grille unit so consructed as to permit expansion and contraction of its various sections without distortion of said sections.

As a feature of the present invention, the fixture is provided with a lamp housing, having a comparatively large opening across which extends a grille unit, comprising a series of bafile plates, which are arranged into a decorative pat tern, and which have their lower edges conjoint- 1y presenting a substantially frusto-conical outline generally converging downwardly towards the axis of the fixture, so that when the lighted fixture is viewed from one side, it will give the impression of a brilliant faceted body.

As another feature the grille unit comprises a series of rings of different diameters, concentrically arranged in stepped formation, with the smallest and lowest ring near the center, and a series of baflle plates extending between adjoining rings, and arranged into a decorative star shaped pattern presenting a series of substantially geometric contiguous interstices.

As another feature the grille unit is provided with a central section, which is easily removable to permit access to the source of light for replacement thereof.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown two of the various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention- Fig. 1 is a perspective of a fixture containing a grille unit of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical fragmentary section somewhat diagrammatic, and on an enlarged scale of a portion of the fixture of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan view of a form of grille unit of built-up construction;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged section taken on line 5--5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale, of one of the radial bafile plates of the outer section of the grille of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a side elevation of the radial baffle plate shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale, of one of the radial baffle plates of the intermediate section of grille unit;

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the baffle plate shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of one of the arcuate bafile plates of the outer section of the grille unit of Fig. 5;

Fig, 11 is a side elevation of the baffle plate shown in Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a top plan view on an enlarged scale of one of the arcuate baflle plates of the intermediate section of the grille unit of Fig. 5;

Fig. 13 is a side elevation of the bafile plate shown in Fig. 12;

Fig. 14 is a detail perspective of a corner section of the grille unit shown in Fig. 5; and

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary section of another form of grille unit formed of plastic material.

Referring now to the drawings, especially Fig. l, the specific embodiment of the invention .comprises a grille A, made of a series of baffle elements, B, which are advantageously opaque or translucent, and which are constructed and arranged with their lower edges presenting a generally frusto-conical contour converging downwardly towards the center of the fixture. The baffle elements B are advantageously arranged in substantially triangular relationship to form a series of substantially triangular interstices.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the fixture comprises a conventional lamp socket cover l0, Figs. 1 and 2, supported in any appropriate manner from the ceiling, such as the tubes H, and housing the conventional lamp socket (not shown) supporting the lamp l2. Rigidly secured to the socket cover by any suitable means (not shown) is a lamp housing l3, Which is partially lined with a diffusing or reflecting member M. This housing 13 is shaped to form an annular trough l5, and has an outer ring extension l6 preferably of spun aluminum. Supported in this trough I5 are a series of lamps (not shown) within reflectors H, for directing the light from said lamps upwardly against the ceiling. Connected to the underside of the ring extension 16 is an annular member l8, forming an annular trough I9 in which are mounted a series of lamps 26 for illuminating the underside of said ring extension [6. Connected to the annular member i8 and extending across the opening of the housing [3 defined by said annular member is a grille unit A to be described hereinafter.

Although the construction so far described is highly advantageous for use in conjunction with a grille unit of the present invention, as far as certain aspects of the invention relating to this grille unit are concerned, this construction may be of any other suitable form, such as that shown in my prior Patent No. 2,078,032 issued April 20, 1937.

The grille unit A in the form shown in Figs. 3 to 14 is of built-up construction, and comprises an outer circular section 36, a central circular section 3!, and an intermediate circular section 32, these three sections being separately formed but interconnected to form a unit as will be described.

The outer section 30 comprises three concentric frusto-conical rings 33, 34 and 35, which are of difierent diameters, which may flare downwardly, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and which are arranged in stepped formation with the smallest ring 35 in lowest position. Spaced circumferentially equal distances apart, and extending radially between the two rings 33 and 35 is a series of bafile plates 36, each provided at the ends with comparatively narrow transverse flanges 31 for the purpose hereinafter made apparent, and fixed at said ends to the rings 33 and 35, preferably by means of flat head machine screws 38. Each of these baflie plates 36 has a downwardly extending slot 43, and the ring 34 is provided with a series of slots (not shown), extending upwardly from the bottom edge thereof to form halving joint connections between said ring 34 and said radial baffle plates 36.

Also extending between the two rings 33 and 35, and between each pair of adjoining radial baffle plates 36 is a pair of intersecting arcuate complementary bafile plates 44 and 45, to form a pair of similar annular lobated or star-shape designs, arranged with the lobes or radial arms of one design in staggered relationship with the lobes or radial arms of the other design. Each plate 44 is provided at its outer end with a notch 46 for engaging the corner of a radial bafile plate 36 at its outer end between its web 41, and one of its flanges 31 as shown in Fig. 14, and a similar notch 48 at its inner end for similarly engaging lugs 48a in the corner of the next adjoining radial baflie plate 36 at its inner end. The corner portion 49 of the plate 44 below the bottom of the outer notch 46 is curved inwardly from its general curvature, and the plate 45 is reversely similar to the plate 44 in shape, is similarly supported on the radial baflle plate 36, and is provided with a reversely similar inwardly curved corner portion 56, so that the two curved portions 49 and 50 of adjoining plates 44 and 45 of each lobe form a butt joint therebetween at the apex of said lobe below the lower edge of the outer ring 33 as shown in Fig. 1. This butt joint connection not only enhances the appearance of the grille unit, but also imparts rigidity to said unit.

In order to interlock each intersecting pair of arcuate plates 44 and 45, said plates are provided with slots 5! extending from opposite edges of said plates respectively to form a halving joint between said plates at their intersecting sections, and the ring 34 is provided with a series of slots (not shown) for straddling intersecting pairs of said plates at their intersecting sections. The lower edge of this ring 34 is flush with the lower edges of the baffle plates 44 and 45 at their intersecting sections but the upper edge of said ring extends a small distance above said sections to permit the slots in said ring to extend across the full height of said plates at said sections.

The height of the inner ring 35 is greater than that of either one of the two rings 33 or 34, the height of the radial plate 36 at its outer end is smaller than the height at its inner end, and the lower edge 52 of said plate is concavely curved so that said edge extends obliquely downwardly towards the axis of the fixture. The lower edges 53 of the arcuate plates 44 and 45 are also concavely curved to blend with the curved oblique motif of the lower edges 52 of the radial plates 36.

The intermediate section 32 of the grille unit comprises an outer frusto-conical ring 55, and an inner frusto-conical ring 56 concentric therewith and stepped downwardly from said outer ring 55. The ring 55 has an outer diameter equal to the inner diameter of the ring 35, and the two rings 55 and 35 are secured together in lapping relationship by any suitable means, as for instance, the rivets 51. Between the two rings 55 and 56 are a series of baflle plates 58, extending radially in alinement with the baffle plates 36 respectively, secured to said rings by any suitable means such as flat machine screws 59, and provided at their ends with transverse flanges 60. Extending between each pair of adjoining radial baflie plates 58, and between the two rings 55 and 56 is a pair of arcuate bafile plates 6| and 62, provided at their outer ends with notches 63 for engaging the flanges 60 in a manner similar to that shown in Fig. 14, and tongues 64 at their inher ends for engaging slots (not shown) in the ring 56. Each of these arcuate plates 6| and 62 is provided with a corner portion 65 below the notch 63, curved inwardly from its general curvature to form a butt joint between adjoining lobe sections in a manner already described with reference to the construction of the outer grille section 30.

Each of the baille plates 61 and 62 is provided with two curved sections '6'! and 68 in reverse relation, the lower edge 69 of the inner section 68 extending below the lower edge of the outer section 61 and said edges being concavely curved as shown in Fig. 13. The two arcuate baffle plates 6| and 62 between adjoining radial plates 58, come into tangency between the two reversely curved sections of each of said arcuate plates, and are interlocked by a lug it on one of said arcuate plates extending into an aperture in the other arcuate plate.

The central grille section 32 comprises an outer frusto-conical ring 12 telescoped into lapped relationslnp with the ring 56, and an inner pair of cylindrical rings 13 and T4 concentric with said outer ring. The three rings 12, 13 and 14 are arranged in stepped formation, and are secured together by radial braces 15, welded or otherwise secured to these rings at right angles to each other.

The central grille section 32 is removably supported on the intermediate grille section 32 to gain access to the lamp I2 for the replacement thereof and for that purpose the ring 56 has a plurality of screws or pins 11 extending into angular slots 18 in the ring 12 to form therewith a bayonet connection.

The grille unit A may be easily connected to the opening of the fixture housing l3 by any suitable means, as for instance, the angular brackets 89 riveted or otherwise secured to the inner periphery of the outer ring 33, and bolted to the annular member 18.

In the construction shown in Figs. 3 to 14 the various metal baflle elements of the two circular grille sections 30 and 32 are assembled as described, and then preferably welded together to form a rigid structure. Instead of having all of the grilie parts constructed of metal, the radial plates 38 and 58 and the arcuate plates 44, 45, 6! and 62 may be made of clear, diffusing or opaque plastic material commonly used in the lighting art and are advantageously colored white, silver or yellow to give the desired ornamental and lighting effect, while the various concentric rings may be made of aluminum. 4

In Fig. is shown a grille unit comprising an outer circular section 85 molded into a unit from plastic materials and combining the two sections so and 32 of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 12 and a central circular section 86 similarly formed of plastic material and removably secured to said outer circular section by a bayonet joint connection.

The grille unit presents a series of sections arranged downwardly in tiers, with the lower edges of the grille elements conjointly presenting a substantially frusto-conical contour, converging generally downwardly toward the axis of the fixture. The various elements of the grille unit are so decoratively patterned in criss-cross relationship as to present a series of substantially triangular interstices the lower edges of said elements extending obliquely with respect to the axis of the fixture. A portion of the light from the lamp l2 passes directly through the central circular section 3 I of the grille, and another portion is reflected or diffused from the reflecting or diffusing member 14 on to various other sections of the grille unit at different intensities, thereby presenting a series of lighted and shadowed regions as in the case of a cut diamond. The result of this construction is that when the fixture is lit, it gives the appearance of a glowing star faceted body which is so shadowed as to emphasize relief and afford a three dimensional impression of solidity. The reflected light from the opaque or translucent baflie element gives the glowing effect of crystal where the fixture is lit.

The arrangement of the various grille elements in substantially triangular relationship not only affords the utility referred to, but also imparts to the grille the rigidity incident to structural triangulations.

Furthermore, the interstices formed between the grille elements afford complete ventilation, and the slight curvature of the arcuate bafile plates permits expansion and contraction of these plates, without materially stressing the rings, and without creating distortion of said plates.

It must be understood that the invention in all its aspects is not limited to the exact design shown and that as far as certain aspects of said invention are concerned the design may be of any suitable pattern in which the lower edges of the grille unit present a generally frusto-conical contour converging downwardly towards the center of the unit.

It will thus be seen that there is herein described apparatus in which the several features of this invention are embodied, and which apparatus in its action attains the various objects of the invention and is well suited to meet the requirements of practical use.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope of the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. As an article of manufacture, a grille unit adapted to be mounted on a lighting fixture, and comprising a series of self-contained circular sections arranged in stepped formation, and each having a series of baffle elements forming a series of substantially geometric angular interstices, the lower edges of said elements extending obliquely with respect to the axis of the grille unit.

2. As an article of manufacture, a grille unit adapted to be mounted on a lighting fixture, and including a plurality of concentric rings of different diameters arranged in stepped formation with the smallest ring in lowermost position, and a series of baifle elements arranged substantially in triangular relationship to form a series of substantially triangular interstices between adjoining rings, the lower edges of said elements extending obliquely with respect to the axis of the grille, to present a generally frusto-conical contour converging outwardly towards the center of said grille unit.

3. A built-up grille unit for a lighting fixture, comprising a pair of separate self-contained sections, each comprising an outer ring and a smaller inner ring in encircling relationship, and a series of baffle elements extending between and secured to said inner and outer rings, and forming a series of angular interstices, the outer ring of one of said sections being fitted into snug lapping relationship, and conforming with the inner surface of the inner ring of the other section, and means for securing said last mentioned lapping rings together.

4. A built-up grille unit for a lighting fixture, comprising a pair of separate self-contained sections, each comprising an outer ring and a smaller inner ring in encircling relationship, and a series of baffle elements extending between and secured to said inner and outer rings, and forming a series of angular interstices, the outer ring of one of said sections being fitted into snug lapping relationship, and conforming with the inner surface of the inner ring of the other section, and means for securing said last mentioned lapping rings together, said sections being arranged at different levels, and the lower edges of said baflie elements extending obliquely with respect to the axis of the grille unit, to present a generally frusto-conical contour.

5. As an article of manufacture, a grille unit adapted to be mounted across the bottom opening of a lighting fixture, comprising a pair of concentric rings of different sizes, arranged in stepped formation, the smaller ring being in lowermost position, a series of circumferentially spaced radial bafile plates between said rings, a pair of intersecting baffle plates extending diagonally between adjoining radial plates, and having their ends anchored in the corners formed between said radial plates and said rings, said intersecting plates being interconnected at their intersection by a halving joint, and the lower edges of said latter plates extending obliquely to present with said rings a general frusto-conical contour converging downwardly towards the center of said grille unit.

6. As an article of manufacture, a grille unit for a lighting fixture, comprising a pair of concentric rings of different diameters, and a plurality of pairs of arcuate bafiles extending between said rings, the baffles of each pair intersecting, and the ends of the baffies of each intersecting pair being closely adjacent to the ends of the bafiles respectively of the adjoining intersecting pair to form a lobated design with substantially triangular lobes, the arcuation of said bafiles permitting expansion and contraction thereof without materially stressing the rings and without causing distortion of said bafiles, and the triangular lobes imparting to the grille unit rigidity incident to structural triangulation.

7. As an article of manufacture, a grille unit for a lighting fixture comprising a pair of concentric rings of different diameters, a plurality of adjoining pairs of intersecting bafile elements extending between said rings and forming a lobated design, and a third ring concentric with said pair of rings and extending along the intersections of said baffie elements, said baille elements and said third ring being interconnected by halving joints.

8. As an article of manufacture, a grille unit for a lighting fixture, comprising a pair of concentric rings of different diameters, and a plurality of pairs of bafiles extending between said rings, each of said baiiles being provided with two curved sections in reversed relationship, the two battles of each pair coming into tangency between the two reversed curved sections, and being interconnected at said points of tangency, and the ends of each baflle being closely adjacent to the ends of the adjoining baffle of an adjoining pair to form two lobated designs, one encircling the other and staggered with respect to the latter.

EDWARD F. SIBBERT. 

